3 Hidden Worlds to Discover in Outback Queensland
While many tourists head far west for their outback experience, there are some spectacular outback gems much closer to the coast and it’s easy to discover them in a short break by car or air. They all start in Roma with the outstanding Boobook Explore small group tours that take you off the beaten track and give you a rich experience of little-known wonders.
1. Lost World Carnarvons (Wallaroo)
You may have heard of – or visited – the Carnarvon Gorge but there’s a hidden part of the Carnarvon region that is still relatively undiscovered. Welcome to all the magnificence of the Carnarvon Ranges in a place few tourists venture. In fact, Boobook Explore have exclusive access to this secret world in the 300 square kilometre Wallaroo private property.
Concealed within endless sandstone undulations and gorges in native bush, you will find incredible biodiversity, spectacular rock formations, sandstone cliffs and Indigenous cultural sites. Few eyes have seen the handprints of the Indigenous past here or the prehistoric cycad grove. Few feet have trodden the path to the Rainbow Cave. Few others have stood taking in the incredible sweep of the Arcadia Valley hundreds of metres below.
It is all enhanced with the insights of a local eco guide who knows the territory, as well as its rare fauna, flora and Indigenous history.
2. Landscape and Legacy in Roma
There’s much more to the Roma region than meets the eye for the casual visitor and Boobook Explore are just the people to take you deeper into its diverse world of history, ecology and human endeavours.
Stand where early explorer Mitchell stood at Mount Abundance overlooking the rich native grasslands, which he recognised as prime agricultural land. It is also the last place explorer Leichhardt was seen alive and where he penned his final letter before his mysterious disappearance. In this elevated oasis, wildlife and soaring wedge-tailed eagles take refuge, and iconic bottle trees grow in their natural habitat.
The grasslands that so impressed Mitchell gave birth to the outback cattle industry in the region. In Roma you’ll also discover that world from the perspective of a pastoralist and ecologist. A visit to the famous cattle saleyards in full swing reveals iconic outback sights and gives insight into human interaction with the landscape.
3. Wildflower Wonderland
Talk of wildflower tours and many people will think of Western Australia but did you know Queensland has its own wildflower hotspot with hundreds of species bursting into colour in spring? Gurulmundi on the crest of the Great Dividing Range is a hidden treasure in one of southern Queensland’s most botanically significant areas. You can see grevilleas, hakeas, wattles, bush peas, boronias, melaleucas, kunzeas, daisies and grass trees if you know where to look. This is also one of the only places to see the threatened Gurulmundi Heath-myrtle, Gurulmundi Star-flower and Curran’s Wattle.
To make the most of the seasonal flowering opportunity it really helps to have a botanist on hand. Boobook Explore’s botanist guide will take you to the best places to appreciate the diversity of our native bush flora in this protected environment with its unique ecosystem.
